Device for setting a half-tone negative for producing a half-tone plate for use in polychrome printing to a predetermined position on a sheet film

ABSTRACT

A device for positioning a half-tone negative at a predetermined position on a sheet film for production of polychrome printing plates. The device has a base box with a gate-shaped frame thereon which is slidable longitudinally on rails on both sides of the base box. An arm is slidable transversely of the frame in parallel with an upper horizontal member of the gate-shaped frame. Negative shifting boxes are suitably spaced between the ends of the arm, the boxes having vertically positioned rotary drive shafts adapted to rotate synchronously to turn the boxes. Pins are provided on the boxes to fit into holes provided in half-tone negatives. Sheet film clipping elements are provided on the table directy under each box. Driving means drives the frame back and forth along the base box and drives the base back and forth along the frame synchronously. Synchronized drive means in the respective negative shifting boxes adjust the rotational positions of the boxes. Proper manipulation of the frame and arm and the synchronized drive means enables precise synchronizes positioning of a plurality of negatives carried by the respective negative shifting boxes relative to a negative sheet on the base box.

States Patent [191 Enoue Sept. 11, 1973 DEVICE FOR SETTING A HALF-TONE NEGATIVE FOR PRODUCING A HALF-TONE PLATE FOR USE IN POLYCHROME PRINTING TO A PREDETERMINED POSITION ON A SHEET FILM [76] lnventor: Yoshio Inoue, No. 10, 2-chome,

Tanabehigashino-cho, Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, Japan 221 Filed: Feb. 24, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 228,986

Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Wintercom Att0rneyE. F. Wenderoth et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A device for positioning a half-tone negative at a predetermined position on a sheet film for production of polychrome printing plates. The device has a base box with a gateshaped frame thereon which is slidable longitudinally on rails on both sides of the base box. An arm is slidable transversely of the frame in parallel with an upper horizontal member of the gate-shaped frame. Negative shifting boxes are suitably spaced between the ends of the arm, the boxes having vertically positioned rotary drive shafts adapted to rotate synchronously to turn the boxes. Pins are provided on the boxes to fit into holes provided in half-tone negatives. Sheet film clipping elements are provided on the table directy under each box. Driving means drives the frame back and forth along the base box and drives the base back and forth along the frame synchronously. Synchronized drive means in the respective negative shifting boxes adjust the rotational positions of the boxes. Proper manipulation of the frame and arm and the synchronized drive means enables precise synchronizes positioning of a plurality of negatives carried by the respective negative shifting boxes relative to a negative sheet on the base box.

3 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures pmmmsm 1 Ian 3758.206

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sum 10 0F 10 1 HEEVFCE FUR SETTING A HALF-TONE NEGATTVE FOR PRUD'UCING A HALF-TONE PLATE FOR USE TN POLYCl-EROME PRENTING TO A PREBETERMTNED POSITION ON A SHEET FILM This invention relates to a device for positioning a half-tone negative for producing a half-tone plate for use in polychrome printing in a predetermined position on a sheet film.

in the known method for producing polychrome printing plates, half-tone negatives were produced by photographing an original picture a plurality of times according to the colors thereof at least more than four such half-tone negatives being prepared for each picture, a half-tone negative for yellow color, for example, being mounted on a large-sized transparent sheet film in a position as prescribed by the layout making use of adhesive tape, a second sheet film being placed on the first sheet film, a half-tone negative for magenta color, for example, being mounted thereon making use of a magnifying lens so that said half-tone negative accurately coincides with the half-tone negative for yellow color, the foregoing process being repeated according to the number of colors.

Consequently, the operation of mounting half-tone negatives on sheet films in the plate-making process was most monotonous, dull and subject to error. Recently, with a view to obviating the inefficiency of said operation which requires a great deal of time and labor, an improved method has been introduced wherein punch holes are previously formed through each halftone negative so that such negatives will coincide with one another, transparent sheet films according to the number of colors being piled up under the half-tone negatives superposed one over the other by passing pins through the punch holes, holes being bored at more than two locations at least in the margins of the negatives through the sheet films, thereafter the negatives and the sheet films being assorted by color by passing pins through the marginal holes. This has been the only mechanized method making it possible to position half-tone negatives on sheet films without the help of a magnifying lens.

However, the operation of boring holes through halftone negatives and sheet films after superposing the former on the latter involves a great deal of difficulty.

Particularly in the case of positioning several kinds of half-tone negatives on sheet films, the positioning process can be completed manually making use of a mag nifying leris within the time required for boring the holes. Moreover, if one of the negatives is displaced, the holes bored through the sheet film may intrude into the scope of the picture, with the result that the boring process must be started all over again. These disadvantages therefore greatly reduce the utility of the method described hereinbefore.

A first object of this invention is to provide a device making it possible to accurately adjust the position of each half-tone negative by providing a half-tone negative mounting member directly above each juxterposed sheet film, said mounting members being adapted to be elevatable, rotatable and movable longitudinally and transversely synchronously in the same condition.

A second object of this invention is to provide a device making it possible to operate each said mounting member by a single operation control lever.

A third object of this invention is to provide a device wherein half-tone negative positioning pins of the mounting member are projectable.

A fourth object of this invention is to provide a device making it possible to adjust accurately the mounting position of each half-tone negative on each sheet film arranged in tiers by causing the latter to slide to a position directly beneath each mounting member.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, improvements, combinations and arrangements comprising the invention, preferred embodiments of which are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, and herein described in detail. Various modifications and changes in details of construction are included within the scope of the appended claims. Of the accompanying drawings,

F161 is an elevation of an embodiment of this invention;

F162 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 in FIGJ;

FlG.3 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the driving part of a frame;

FIGA is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the transverse travel guide part of the frame;

F is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the longitudinal travel guide part of the frame;

FIG.6 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing the driving part of the same;

FIG.7 is a cross sectional plan showing the rotary driving part of a half-tone negative mounting member;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the half-tone mounting member;

FIGS is a perpsective of the half-tone negative mounting member;

F1610 is a perspective of an operation control lever;

FIG.11 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of another embodiment of this invention;

FIG.12 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the same;

FIG.13 is a an exploded perspective of the half-tone negative mounting member.

Referring now to FIGS.1 and 2, the numeral 21 designates side frames erected on the floor surface 22 so as to be opposed to each other, a threaded shaft 23 being horizontally positioned on the upper side of each frame 21 between the front and rear ends thereof, both extremities of said threaded shaft 23 being rotatably journaled by bearings 24. The numeral 25 designates a gate-shaped frame comprising a horizontal member 26 and vertical members 27 extending downwardly from both ends of said horizontal member 26, a threaded sleeve 28 engageable with the threaded shaft 23 being mounted on the lower end of each vertical member 27.

Referring to H683 and 4, the numeral 29 designates a rack secured by a clamping member comprising a bolt and a nut to the underside of the middle part between both ends of the horizontal member 26 of the gate-shaped frame 25 in such manner that the end of said rack 29 points in the transverse direction. The numeral 31 designates a horizontal arm spaced from and parallel with the underside of the horizontal member 26, a channel on the upper surface thereof being used for said arm 31. The numeral 32 designates a motor mounted on the middle of the upper surface of the arm 31 on a seat member 33, a gear 36 on the input side of a speed reducer 35 mounted on the seat member 33 being engaged with a gear 34 on the output side of said motor 32, a pinion 37 on the output side of the reducer 35 being engaged with the rack 29. The numeral 38 designates a pair of rails extending parallel with the underside of the horizontal member 26 at each terminal portion thereof, both ends of each said rail being bearing members 39 on the horizontal member 26. The numeral 40 designates a seat plate, mounting elements 41 provided on the underside thereof being secured to the terminal portion of the arm 31 by clamping members comprising bolts and nuts, an upright element 43 being erected on the upper surface of the seat plate 40 at the front and rear edges thereof respectively, a pair of shafts 44 extending between the upright elements in such a manner that one of said shafts 44 is disposed above the rail 38 and the other is disposed therebelow, the extremities of the shafts 44 being rotatably mounted in bearings 45 mounted on the upright elements 43, the intermediate portions of said pair of shafts 44 being provided with rolls 46 holding the upper and lower surfaces of the rails 38 therebetween.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the numeral 47 designates a roll mounted in bearings 48 on the underside of the vertical member 27, the roll 47 being adapted to ride on a rail 49 longitudinally mounted on the side frame 21 The numeral 50 designates a shaft having one extremity extending into the terminal portion of the side frame 21, said shaft 50 being mounted in bearings 52 provided at the upper ends of pillar members 51 erected on the floor surface 22, a gear 53 provided at each end of the shaft 50 being engaged with a gear 54 at the terminal portion of the threaded shaft 23, a belt 58 extending between a pulley 55 on the shaft 50 and a pulley 57 on a motor 56 on the floor surface 22.

Referring further to F 7, the numeral 59 designates a shaft rotatably mounted in bearings 60 between the ends of the arm 31, a worm wheel 61 provided on the shaft 59 being engaged with a worm gear 63 of a motor 62 mounted on the upper surface of the arm 31. 1

Referring further to FlGS.8 and 9, the numeral 64 designates a rotary shaft the upper end of which extends through the arm 31 upwardly from the underside thereof at a point equal distance from both ends of said arm 31, the rotary shaft 64 being rotatably mounted in bearings 65 mounted on the arm 31. The numeral 66 designates a worm wheel mounted on the upper extremity of the rotary shaft 64 inside the arm 31, said worm wheel 66 being engaged with worm gear 67 of the shaft 59. The numeral, 68 designates a threaded portion on the lower extremity of the rotary shaft 64,

a box 70 open at the underside thereof being secured to the rotary shaft 64 bythreading a'clamping nut plate 69 thereon.

The numeral 71 designates a pair oflinks provided in the box 70 at the front side thereof, the upper end of each said link 71 being pivoted by a pin 73 on a projecting element 72 on the'lower surface of the upper member of box 70, one at the front and one at the rear thereof, and the lower end of each link being pivoted on a pin 76 on a projecting element 75 erected on the upper surface of a plate-shaped member 74, one at the front end and the other at the rear end of one side thereof.

The numeral 77 designates a horizontal plate both' shaped member 74. The numeral 79 designates a box the upper side of which has an opening 80, said box 79 being mounted between the upper ends of the side frames 21,21, a transparent plate 81 being fitted in the upper part of the opening 80, a lactescent plate 82 being fitted to the lower side thereof, the transparent plate 81 being disposed adjacent the lower surface of the horizontal plate 77, the lactescent plate 82 and the transparent plate 81 superposed thereon being supported by projecting elements 83 projecting from the edges of the opening 80. The numeral 84 designates a bearing member provided in the box so as to face rearwardly from the front wall thereof, a shaft 85 being rotatably fitted in the bearing member 84, one end of said shaft 85 being adapted to extend outwardly through one side of the box 70, a handle 86 being mounted on said end of the shaft 85, a rotary element provided on the front end of an oscillating element 87 secured to the shaft 85 being brought into contact with a plate member 89 on the rear link 71. The numeral 90 designates light sources built in the box 79. The numeral 91 designates a pair of pins on the front edge of the upper surface of the box 79. The numeral 92 designates a handle the upper end of which extends rotatably through the front wall of the box 79 between the pair of pins 91, a cam 93 being provided at the upper end .of the handle 92. The numeral 94 designates elongated holes in the front wall of the box 79, said elongated holes 94 being vertically disposed between both side of the handle 92, a shaft member 95 extending through the elongated holes 94, the end of a horizontal member 96 being secured to the inner end of the shaft member 95. The numeral 97 designates a spring forcing the end of the horizontal member 96 downwardly so as to bring the underside thereof into contact with the cam 93, 99 designating elevatable plates secured to the outside ends of the shaft members 95, a clipping element 99 being formed at the upper end of each elevatable plate 93, said clipping element being rectangularly bent inwardly in contact with the upper surface of the- On the right and left sides of the projecting plate are provided respectively a switch 106 for normal rotation of the motor'62 and a switch 107 for reverse rotation of said motor 62. Furthermore, a switch 108 for normal rotation of the motor 56 and a switch 109 for reverse rotation of said switch 56 are provided at the front and rear sides of the disk 104 respectively, a switch 110 for normal rotation of the motor 32 and a switch 111 for reverse rotationof said motor 32 being provided at the right and left sides of the disk 104 respectively, the lever 101 being suspended vertically by tension springs 112 with the ends thereof engaging with each other, each said switch and spring being secured to a cover 113 outwardly housing the lever 101.

F [68.1 1, 12 and 13 show another embodiment of this invention, in which the numeral designates a-box, square ports 121, 122 being provided on the same line on both sides of the top wall of the box 120, one of the ports 122 being closed by an openable lid 123. The numeral 124 designates a pair of horizontal threaded shafts rotatably mounted in bearings 125 on both sides of the port 121, a female threaded member 127 at the lower end of each pillar member 126 being engaged with respective screw shafts 124. The numeral 128 designates a shaft horizontally and rotatably journaled on the outside of the rear edge of the port 121, 129 designating bevel gears mounted on both ends of the shaft 128, each said bevel gear 129 being engaged with a bevel gear mounted at the end of a screw shaft 124. The numeral 131 designates a sprocket mounted on the shaft 128, a chain 134 extending between the sprocket 131 and a sprocket 133 of a motor 132. The numeral 135 designates a pair of rails the ends of which are secured to the upper extremities of the opposing pillar members 126. The numeral 136 designates axially extending horizontal shafts (in four tiers in the case of the drawings) vertically spaced by bearings 137 provided on both sides in the box 120, a chain 139 extending between sprockets 138 mounted at one end of each shaft 136 thereby enabling transmission of rotation from on shaft to each shaft 136, a chain 143 extending between a sprocket 140 on the shaft in the lowest tier and a sprocket 142 of a motor 141 including a reducer, a magnetic clutch 144 being provided in each shaft 136 on the inside of the sprocket 138 thereof.

Furthermore, a sprocket 145 is mounted at both ends of each shaft 136 in such manner that the space between the opposing sprockets is gradually reduced from the top tier toward the bottom tier, an endless chain 146 being extended between each set of opposing sprockets 145. The numeral 147 designates a frame member for a sheet film thereon, said frame member 147 being supported at the side edges thereof which are placed on the chains 146. The numeral 148 designates a pin depending from the top wall of the box 120 on the inside of both side edges of the port 121, said pin 148 being adapted to fit into a marginal hole 149 of the frame member 147 at the time when said frame memher 147 is elevated thereby making it possible to effect accurate positioning. The numeral 150 designates a pair of threaded shafts disposed in the box 120 so as to be located directly below the port 121, the upper and the lower ends of the shafts 150 being rotatably mounted in bearings 151. The numeral 152 designates a worm wheel mounted at the lower end of each shaft 150, a chain 157 extending between a worm gear 153 engaging with the worm wheel 152, a sprocket 154 of a shaft 158, and a sprocket 156 ofa motor 155. The numeral 159 designates horizontal arms through which the respective shafts of said pair of threaded shafts are threaded with the ends facing toward the chain 146, a receiving seat plate 161 on the frame member 147 being mounted between the upper ends of pillar levers erected on each horizontal arm 159 with the lower ends secured to both ends of said horizontal arm 159. The numeral 162 designates an iron core extending between the rails 135, an upward slip preventive flange 163 being provided at the lower end of the iron core, the upper end of the iron core 162 being fitted into a solenoid 164, a slip preventive nut 165 being threaded onto the iron core 162 at the top thereof for causing the iron core 162 to rise upwardly at the time when the solenoid 164 is energized. The numeral 166 designates a hole extending through one end of a horizontal plate 167, the iron core 162 extending through the hole 166 above the flange 163, a washer 168 being inserted through the iron core so as to be positioned between the horizontal plate 167 and the rails 135. The numeral 169 designates a vertical plate integrally bent rectangularly downwardly from the other edge of the horizontal plate 167. The numeral 170 designates a box, a pair of vertical dovetail grooves being formed on the rear wall of the box 170, dovetail ridges 172 on the vertical plate 169 being fitted into the dovetail grooves 171 so as to serve as elevation guides for the box 170. The numeral 173 designates a plurality of small holes formed through the bottom wall of the box 170, 174 designating a suction hose connected to the box 170, 175 designating a rotary shaft extending through the box 170 from the front wall toward the rear wall thereof, a knob 176 being mounted on the exterior end of the rotary shaft 175, a cam 178 in which a one-way clutch 177 is built being mounted on said rotary shaft 175, said cam 178 being provided with a notch at each quadrisectional position of the periphery thereof thereby making it possible to stop the rotation at 90. The numeral 179 designates a hole formed at each end of the bottom wall of the box 170, a pin 180 being fitted into each of the holes 179, end of connecting rod 181 being secured to the upper end of a pin 180, springs 182 extending between the connecting rod 181 and the bottom wall of the box 170 thereby imparting downward resilience to the pins 180. The numeral 183 designates a rotary element so mounted that it will be engaged in the notches of the cam 178 below the center between the ends of the connecting rod 181. The numeral 184 designates a projecting element one end of which is secured to the interior end of the rotary shaft 175. The numeral 185 designates a lever on the reverse side of the forward end of the projecting element 184, an arcuate hole 186 with the rotaryshaft 175 as a center being formed in the rear wall of the box 170 in such manner that the end of said arcuate hole 186 will point in the upward and downward directions respectively.

The numeral 187 designates an elongated hole formed at the lower edge of the vertical plate 169 in such manner that the ends of said elongated hole 187 will point in the right and left directions respectively.

A description will now be given'of how to use the device of this invention for positioning a half-tone negative on a sheet film. After distributing a sheet film to each portion having the handle 92 on the transparent plate 81, said handle 92 is rotated clockwise as shown in FIG.9. Then, the horizontal member 96 is elevated against the resilience of the springs 97 by the projecting edge of the cam 93 rotating with said handle 92, with the result that the shaft member 95 secured to the horizontal member 96 is elevated toward the upper end of the elongated hole 94 together with the elevatable plate 98, thereby separating the clip elements 99 from the upper surface of the top wall of the box 79.

Thereafter, the pin 91 is fitted into the hole A through the margin of the sheet film A placed on the transparent plate 81, then said handle 92 is rotated counterclockwise, as a result of which the horizontal member 96, the shaft member 95 and the'elevatable plate 98 having the clip elements 99 are lowered by the resilience of the springs 97 since the force causing the elevation of the horizontal member 96 has been removed, thereby securely holding the sheet film A between the clip elements 99 and the top wall of the box 79.

Then, the half-tone negative B is positioned by fitting the pins 78 of the plate 77 of each box 711 into the holes B through the margin of said half-tone negative.

Now, the half-tone negative B can be shifted on the sheet film A for positioning by the method as described hereinunder. if the lever 161 is shifted forwardly, the disk 104 is brought into contact with the switch 1118 thereby starting the rotation of the motor 56 in the normal direction, with the result that the threaded shaft 23 is forced to rotate counterclockwise as shown in F166 since the gear 54 of said screw shaft 23 engages with gear 53 of the shaft 50 through the pulley .57, the belt 58 and the pulley 55, thereby propelling the gateshaped frame 25 having the threaded sleeve 28 engaged with the screw shaft 23 at the lower end of the vertical member 27 forwardly.

Alternatively, if the lever 101 is shifted backwardly, the disk 104 is brought into contact with the switch 1119 thereby causing the motor 56 to rotate in the reverse direction, with the result that the gate-shaped frame 25 is propelled backwardly by the counterclockwise rotation of the threaded shaft 23 as shown in F166. When the half-tone negative B reaches a predetermined position after forward or backward motion, the contact between the disk and the switch 108 or the switch 109 is released by the return of the lever 101 to its normal vertical position.

To move the half-tone negative B to the right or left direction, the disk 104 is brought into contact with the switch 1 10, for example, by shifting the lever 101 in the left direction thereby causing the motor 32 to start rotation in the normal direction, as a result of which the pinion 37 is forced to rotate counterclockwise through the gears 34, 36 and the reducer 35 as shown in F161, thereby propelling the arm 31 having said pinion 37 in the left direction guided by the rails 38.

If the lever 101 is turned in the right direction, the disk 104 is brought into contact with the switch 111 thereby causing the motor. 32 to start a reverse rotation, with the result that the arm 31 travels in the right direction due to the counterclockwise driving of the pinion 37. When the half-tone negative B reaches a predetermined position, the disk is separated from'the switch 111 by the return of the lever 101 to its normal upright position thereby stopping the rotation of the motor 32. 7

Then, to rotate each box 70, the lever 101 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in F1610 thereby bringing the projecting plate 105 into contact with the switch 106, as a result of which the motor 62 is caused to start rotation in the normal direction, the shaft 64 having the worm wheel 66 engaging with the worm gear 63 being forced to rotate counterclockwise.

If the projecting plate 105 is brought into contact with the switch 107 by rotating the lever clockwise as shown in FIG. 10, the shaft 64 is caused to rotate counterclockwiseas a result of a reverse rotation of the motor 62. When the half-tone negative B has been rotated to a predetermined position, the projecting plate 105 is separated from the switch 106'or 107.

As described hereinbefore, the half-tone negative B is visually adjusted according to the layout by the forward or backward travel of the gate-shaped frame 25, the right-hand or left-hand travel of the arm 31, and the normal or reverse rotation of the box 31. When the half-tone negative B is brought to a position exactly in conformity with the layout on the sheet film A, each half-tone negative B of each box 31 coincides with each other under the same condition. Therefore, each halftone negative E is secured to each sheet film A by adhesive tape C in this state.

Thereafter, the pins 78 are removed from the holes B of each half-tone'negative B by raising the forward edge thereof. Then if the handle 86 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIG.9, each link 71 is forced to rotate counterclockwise with the pin 73 as fulcrum as a shown in F168, with the result that the plate-shaped member 74 at the lower end of the link 71 is retracted backwardly and elevated simultaneously thereby allowing the pin 78 located directly under the hole B to escape.

Then, by releasing the elevation of the forward edge of the half-tone negative, said half-tone negative is brought into contact with the sheet film, the plateshaped member 74 being restored to the original position thereof by the reverse rotation of the handle 86.

Now, the operation of another embodiment of this invention will be described hereinunder with reference to FIGS.'11,12 and 13. The pin 180 projecting downwardly from the bottom wall of the box 170 is fitted into the hole B of the half-tone negative B, thereafter the suction hose 174 connected to the inside of the box 170 is operated thereby causing the forward edge of the half-tone negative B to adhere to the underside of the bottom wall of the box 170 having a plurality of small holes 173. r

Then, by'starting the motor 141 in the normal direction, the shafts 136 are driven at one side each having the sprocket 138 which is connected to the sprocket 142 through the chain 143, the sprocket and the chain 139, thereafter the other side of the shaft136 in the uppermost tier being driven by operating the clutch 144 of said uppermost shaft 136 thereby causing the chain 146 to travel, as a result of which the frame member 147 on said chain 146 travels toward the position directly below the port 121. When the frame member 147. is located directly below the port 121, the clutch 144 is cut off. I

Then, if the motor is rotated in the normal direction, this normal rotation forcibly drives the threadedshaft 150 having the worm wheel 152 engaging with the worm gear 153 of the shaft 158 through the sprocket 156, the chain 157 and the sprocket 154, consequently the seat plate 161 at the upper end of the shaft 160 being elevated together with the arm 159 threaded onto the threaded shaft 150. When the elevated seat plate 161 is brought into contact with the underside. of the frame member 147 directly under the port 121, the frame member 147 is elevated until said frame member 147 is set into the port 121, the pin 148 being fitted into the marginal hole 149. (The motor 155 is cut off at this instant.)

To adjust the half-tone negative B on the sheet film A of the frame member 147 in conformity with the layout, the mounting horizontal plate 167 of the box is caused to travel in the right or left direction guided by the rails 135 after deenergizing the-solenoid 164, said solenoid 164 being reenergized when the mounting horizontal plate 167 reaches a predetermined position, the iron core162 being elevated thereby securing said horizontal plate 167 to the rails 135.

Now, the travel in the forward or backward direction is effected by the method as described hereinunder. With the driving of the threaded shaft 124 having a bevel gear 130 engaging with the bevel gear 129 of the shaft 128 connected to the motor 132 through the sprocket 133, the chain 134 and the sprocket 131, the rails 135 travel together with the pillar member 126 having the female threaded member 127 threaded onto said threaded shaft 124, the motor 132 being cut off when the rails 135 reach the predetermined position, the position of the half-tone negative B being visually adjusted all this being done so as to conform with the layout.

Then, the half-tone negative B is secured to the sheet film by adhesive tape C, the knob 176 being rotated clockwise as shown in F1613 after ending suction of the hose 174, the lever 185 in the arcuate hole 186 for the rotation of the projecting element 184 together with the rotary shaft 175 descending and moving from one end of the elongated hole 187 to the other end thereof thereby elevating the box 170, then the clutch 177 being activated thereby elevating the pin 180 together with the connecting rod 181 against the resilience of the springs 182 during the time until the rotary element 183 arrives at the projecting edge of the cam 178, consequently the lower end of the pin 180 being retracted into the bottom wall of the box 170, the pin 180 being removed from the hole B of the half-tone negative B, said pin projecting downwardly again by the resilience of the springs 182 when the rotary element 183 has passed the projecting edge of the cam 178.

If the motor 155 is rotated in the reverse direction, the frame member 147 is lowered together with the sheet plate 161, said frame member 147 being supported by the chain 146. Then, the chain 146 is caused to travel in the reverse direction by the reverse rotation of the motor 141. This process is repeated until the half-tone negative B is positioned on the sheet film A of the frame member 147 in the lowermost tier, the box 170 being restored to its original position by the reverse rotation of the knob 176.

The frame member 147 is replaceable through the port 122 by detaching the lid 123 therefrom.

As described hereinbefore, this invention greatly contributes to the improvement of efficiency and accuracy in producing half-tone plates for use in polychrome printing in that this invention makes it possible to set the half-tone negative of each color on the sheet film simultaneously to effect easily the most accurate setting without the help of a magnifying lens or the like, to minimize time and labor required for the setting operation by mechanizing the process, to preclude the necessity of boring pin holes or the like during the setting process, and to freely change the position according to a change in the layout, if so required.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for positioning a half-tone negative at a desired position on a sheet film, comprising a box having a table on the top thereof, rails on both sides of said box, a gate-shaped frame over said box and slidable longitudinally along said rails, an arm slidably transversely mounted on said frame parallel with the upper horizontal member of the gate-shaped frame, further boxes suitably spaced along said arm between the ends of the am, said further boxes having a vertical rotary drive shaft therein, reversible box shaft drive means coupled to the drive shafts in said further boxes, pins on the further boxes for fitting into holes in half-tone negatives for engaging the negatives for setting; sheet film clipping elements disposed on said table directly under each further box, reversible drive means coupled to said gate-shaped frame and to said arm, and lever means for operating said drive means comprising a lever having one end rotatably supported and being inclinable, and operating switches for said drive means mounted around said lever and engaged by said lever when said lever is inclined, the operating switches being in pairs for forward and reverse operating of the respective drive means, and the switches in each pair of operating switches being on opposite sides of said lever, and the switches in the different pairs being aligned in different directions from each other.

2. A device for positioning a half-tone negative at a desired position on a sheet film, comprising a box having a table on the top thereof, said table having an opening on one side thereof, a gate-shaped frame over said opening, means along opposite sides of said opening on which said gate-shaped frame is mounted for moving said frame along said top over said opening, a further box mounted on said frame having openings in the bottom thereof and being movably mounted on said gate-shaped frame for movement therealong, suction means coupled to said box, raising and lowering means coupled to said box for raising and lowering said box on said frame, pins on the underside of said box for fitting into holes in halftone negatives for engaging the negatives for setting, a plurality of transporting means in said box under said opening and positioned one above the other, sheet film holding frames on said transporting means, said transporting means being movable for moving said-film holding frames transversely of the direction of movement of said gate-shaped frame, and elevator means beneath said transporting means and below said opening for elevating said film holding frames from said transporting means to directly under said opening.

v 3. A device as claimed in claim 2 in which said pins in said box are movable into and out of said box, and means in said box on which said pins are mounted for extending and retracting said pins. k k 

1. A device for positioning a half-tone negative at a desired position on a sheet film, comprising a box having a table on the top thereof, rails on both sides of said box, a gate-shaped frame over said box and slidable longitudinally along said rails, an arm slidably transversely mounted on said frame parallel with the upper horizontal member of the gate-shaped frame, further boxes suitably spaced along said arm between the ends of the arm, said further boxes having a vertical rotary drive shaft therein, reversible box shaft drive means coupled to the drive shafts in said further boxes, pins on the further boxes for fitting into holes in half-tone negatives for engaging the negatives for setting; sheet film clipping elements disposed on said table directly under each further box, reversible drive means coupled to said gate-shaped frame and to said arm, and lever means for operating said drive means comprising a lever having one end rotatably supported and being inclinable, and operating switches for said drive means mounted around said lever and engaged by said lever when said lever is inclined, the operating switches being in pairs for forward and reverse operating of the respective drive means, and the switches in each pair of operating switches being on opposite sides of said lever, and the switches in the different pairs being aligned in different directions from each other.
 2. A device for positioning a half-tone negative at a desired position on a sheet film, comprising a box having a table on the top thereof, said table having an opening on one side thereof, a gate-shaped frame over said opening, means along opposite sides of said opening on which said gate-shaped frame is mounted for moving said frame along said top over said opening, a further box mounted on said frame having openings in the bottom thereof and being movably mounted on said gate-shaped frame for movement therealong, suction means coupled to said box, raising and lowering means coupled to said box for raising and lowering said box on said frame, pins on the underside of said box for fitting into holes in halftone negatives for engaging the negatives for setting, a plurality of transporting means in said box under said opening and positioned one above the other, sheet film holding frames on said transporting means, said transporting means being movable for moving said film holding frames transversely of the direction of movement of said gate-shaped frame, and elevator means beneath said transporting means and below said opening for elevating said film holding frames from said transporting means to directly under said opening.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2 in which said pins in said box are movable into and out of said box, and means in said box on which said pins are mounted for extending and retracting said pins. 